Vein Treatment

What are spider veins?

Spider veins are referred to as venulectasias (blue veins) and telangiectasias (red veins). These small dilated blood vessels are near the surface of the skin, measuring between 0.5 and 1 millimeter in diameter and can appear as red, blue or even purple bursts that spider out on the skin. Spider veins most commonly occur on the legs, but are also found on the face, chest and other areas of the body.

Everyone is different — depending on the severity of your condition, your lifestyle, health issues and physical appearance, such as the color of your skin, spider veins will look different. Some patients may have light spider veins covering an entire leg, while others may have small groupings or patches.

While not life threatening, if left untreated spider veins will continue to multiply making it more difficult to achieve the cosmetic result you desire.

What causes spider veins of the leg?

Similar to the causes of varicose veins, the cause of spider veins can be due to age, gender, pregnancy, heredity, and lifestyle or occupations. All have an effect and can cause stress on the vascular system.

While spider veins appear in both men and women, they more frequently affect women. Female medical issues like hormone replacement, birth control and pregnancy contribute to the weakening of the circulatory system.

Spider veins in the legs typically have feeder veins below the surface as their cause. Treating spider veins on the surface alone, as is done by most practitioners, will usually lead to recurrence or worsening of the spider veins. At Kass Clinics we utilize technology to expose these underlying veins that need to be treated. Typically treating one of these underlying feeders will treat multiple spider veins.

What are facial spider veins?

Facial spider veins typically appear on the nose and cheeks. The larger reticular (blue) veins appear around the eye and forehead. They are usually caused by environmental factors and sun damage.

Can spider veins be prevented?

Spider veins, just like varicose veins, cannot be prevented. There are, however, several measures you can take to help minimize spider veins and also speed recovery after treatment.

Wear compression stockings to support your lower legs and help minimize the development of unwanted blood vessels.

The Best Way to Treat Spider Veins – Kass Clinics Can Help

The Gold Standard of treatment for spider veins in the legs is sclerotherapy or foam sclerotherapy. This is a simple in-office procedure at Kass Clinics that takes 20-30 minutes per session. Sclerotherapy, a series of injections, works by injecting a small amount of medication, known as a sclerosing agent, into the damaged vein. This creates a minor inflammatory reaction inside the vein, causing it to collapse and to eventually be absorbed by the body. Depending on the size of the vein will determine the amount of time required for the vein to disappear. This can often be months and should be taken into consideration when deciding to begin treatment. Laser therapy on the legs is ineffective because it cannot treat the underlying feeder veins, is usually more expensive and has more side effects. Facial veins respond more favorably to laser therapy.

What is the first step in getting rid of spider veins?

The first step to alleviating the pain and embarrassment of spider veins is to schedule a FREE vein consultation with Dr. Kass. Your COMPLEMENTARY CONSULTATION will include:

A thorough discussion with Dr. Kass, who is one of the industry’s few board certified physicians specializing in Phlebology. He is a true vein treatment expert.

A preliminary exam of your problem areas to best diagnose your vascular issues.

A venous ultrasound to determine deeper vascular conditions.

Determining the best course of treatment to address your specific needs.

Related Articles

“I have had nothing but exceptional service and quality at your clinic.”

– MG

“Not only are you (Dr. Kass) , Bonnie and your staff highly educated and qualified and professional I always feel “like family” at your clinic”

– FT

“Dr. Kass, thank you very much for the professional courtesy towards my EVLT procedure. I especially appreciated your generosity during these economic times since things have been more challenging for us budget-wise too. I also wanted to let you know how much I respect your expertise in treating my varicose veins and I can tell that you are highly trained and skilled. I also respect how well you fielded all my questions and took the time to answer them as well. I will continue to highly recommend you and your staff to anyone who may need your services. I also enjoyed your sense of humor! You make me laugh.”

– MAB

“Dr. and Bonnie Kass, I wanted to take a moment to thank you for making this (at times scary) process easier. Your knowledgeable and lighthearted atmosphere were a refreshing change in an often over clinical and impersonal medical world. My legs feel better than they have in years and best of all I know that they are healthier than they have been in a very long time.”

– LO

“Dr. Kass, thank you so very much on such a generous discount on my vein procedures. That was truly unexpected but very appreciated! I will be back for sclerotherapy just as soon as school is out and I’m back from my vacation. I cannot thank you enough! Have a wonderful Spring!”

– KP

“Dr. Kass and Staff, thank you so much for the wonderful service and fun bedside manner! It was fun to be in the operating room with you and Angie and I never thought I would say something like that about a medical procedure!! My legs are feeling GREAT and I hope to see you again soon to finish up everything. Thank you! Thank you! Thank you!”

– DS

“Dr. Kass, I wanted to tell you how much I appreciate your generosity with clearing my account. I was so surprised and so relieved. I hope that you had a wonderful holiday season and that you have a fantastic 2010! Thank you!”

– AN

“Dear Dr. Kass, thank you so very much for all of your kindness as reflected in your graciousness about my bill- Your generosity is so appreciated and I want you to know that I am so blessed to have met you and enjoyed your expertise! I will get back in to see you before I leave for Texas…it’s not time yet …In the meantime- Enjoy the Summer! With Gratitude and Grace.”

– Rachel

“Dear Dr. Kass, thank you so very much! Thank you for my “Legs by Kass” – just in time for my son’s wedding this Friday.”

– SM

“Hi Bonnie, I just wanted to let you know that the last vein zapping/bruising treatment did the trick, and the last of those stubborn veins are finally gone! It is such a thrill to me now to not have those darn veins on my nose to cover up! I just want to thank you for all your extra care and effort you gave me, it is so much appreciated! I hope those veins stay away for a while, but at least I know where to go when they come back! Thanks Again!”